Department for Transport

British Transport Police

lord palmer: To ask Her Majesty's Government who is (1) accountable for the British Transport Police, and (2) responsible for making operational decisions regarding the deployment of British Transport Police officers on passenger trains across the UK.

baroness vere of norbiton: The British Transport Police Authority (BTPA), an arm’s length body of the Department, is responsible for setting the BTP’s strategy, policing plans and budget, holding the BTP force to account, and ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency. The Chief Constable of the BTP is responsible for making operational decisions on the deployment of BTP officers on the rail network across England, Scotland and Wales.

Electric Vehicles

baroness randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to encourage commercial organisations and Government agencies to replace their current fleets with electric vehicles.

baroness vere of norbiton: The Government are investing nearly £1.5bn‎ between April 2015 and March 2021 to support the transition to ultra-low emission vehicles. Through this funding, commercial organisations are able to take advantage of various grants to help buy plug-in cars, vans, lorries, buses, taxis and motorcycles, alongside schemes to support charge point infrastructure at homes, workplaces and on residential streets.   Government leadership is vital. At the 2017 Autumn Budget, the Government made a commitment that 25% of central government cars will be ultra-low emission by 2022, followed by a further commitment in last year’s Road to Zero strategy that 100% will be ultra-low emission by 2030. In December 2017, the Government updated the Government Buying Standards for transport, including this new commitment. The Government Car Service, managed by the Department for Transport, is on track to meet the targets, with electric vehicles making up 23% of the entire fleet today. The Transport Secretary has written to every government department to reinforce the 2022 pledge. This provided detailed guidance on how each department can drive the transition in their own fleet and asked them to publish a yearly progress report. We expect these steps will encourage both public and private fleets across the country to adopt ambitious targets.

Settle-Carlisle Railway Line

lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherthey intendto make improvements to (1) the Settle and Carlisle railway line, and (2) rail services between Leeds and Carlisle, in the short, medium or long term, with a view to returning the status of that line to a main line.

baroness vere of norbiton: There are currently no plans in either infrastructure or service provision terms to return the Settle and Carlisle to a main line. Whilst the railway needs to balance passenger and stakeholder aspirations with the practical and economic viability of running additional services, ideas can always be put forward to Transport for the North for consideration. It should be noted that, as part of the current Northern Franchise, some additional evening and Sunday services have been added to the route.

Settle-Carlisle Railway Line

lord greaves: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to promote the use of reformed Class 43 Mark 3 InterCity 125 sets in order to provide a better service and passenger experience on the Settle and Carlisle railway line and rail services between Leeds and Carlisle; and what consideration they have given to extending Settle and Carlisle rail services into Scotland, the East Midlands or elsewhere.

baroness vere of norbiton: The Department does not currently have any plans to promote the use of reformed Class 43 Mark 3 InterCity 125 sets on the Settle and Carlisle railway line and rail services. Northern’s existing fleet of 243 trains is in the process of being fully upgraded to a high standard. It is committed to improving customers’ on-board experience and has refurbished over 50% of its fleet already. The programme will see the introduction of free customer Wi-Fi, at seat power sockets and customer information media screens on all Northern’s trains. There are currently no plans to extend the Settle and Carlisle rail services into Scotland, the East Midlands or elsewhere, however ideas for these can always be put forward to Transport for the North for consideration.

Electric Scooters

lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the adequacy of legislation on the use of electric scooters on public highways.

lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the maximum speed of electric scooters on sale in the UK.

lord jopling: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the users of electric scooters on UK roads are covered by insurance,as is required for other motorised vehicle users.

baroness vere of norbiton: It is illegal to use a powered transporter, such as an electric scooter, on a public road without it complying with specific legal requirements. In the UK, electric scooters are treated like any other motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to laws requiring them to conform to technical standards and be used safely. This includes requirements for users to have insurance, driving licences, number plates, and helmets. At present, it is difficult for electric scooters to meet these requirements. For scooters that do meet these requirements, users of them must comply with speed limits. It is also illegal to use an electric scooter in spaces which are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders. This includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes. The Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy, published on 19 March 2019, includes a regulatory review to address the challenges of ensuring our transport infrastructure and regulation are fit for the future. The Department will use the regulatory review to examine current legislation and determine from the evidence what is needed to make the necessary changes needed for a safe and healthy future. Through the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, we are exploring how new technologies, including electric scooters, could help the UK benefit from changes in how people, goods and services move around and possible barriers to securing those benefits.

Department for Education

Academies: Standards

lord watson of invergowrie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent assessment they have made of the effectiveness of multi-academy trusts in delivering improvements in academic performance in schools.

lord agnew of oulton: Performance data illustrates how disadvantaged pupils in academy trusts are making more progress at GCSE level than the equivalent national average. Data for key stage 4 and academy trust performance in 2018 is attached and is available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774014/2018_KS4_main_text.pdf.In primary schools within academy trusts, disadvantaged pupils performed significantly better than the equivalent national average in writing and maths. Data for key stage 2 and academy trust performance is attached and is available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/774446/KS2_Revised_2018_text_MATS_20190130.pdf.The ‘Academy Trust Survey’, published by the department in 2017, indicates that virtually all academy trusts surveyed (96%) with 2 or more academies believe that their structure has facilitated collaboration, and most have formal relationships with schools outside their academy trust. By working in partnership with each other, schools can benefit from sharing staff, curriculum expertise and effective pedagogy, and drive down the costs of procurement.Our ambition is for every school that wants to, to benefit from the autonomy and freedom to innovate that academy status offers and for schools to collaborate through strong academy trusts.The ‘Academy Trust Survey’ has been attached and is available here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/629779/Academy_Trust_Survey_2017.pdf.



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Graduates: Pay

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that longitudinal education outcomes data take account of regional variations in salaries across the UK.

viscount younger of leckie: We have recently received data on the current region of residence of graduates in the 2016/17 tax year and have incorporated this into the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data. The Department for Education has announced that we will be publishing experimental statistics using this data to look at the employment and earnings outcomes of graduates by their geographical location on 18 July 2019.

Graduates: Employment

lord blunkett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the regional retention of graduates.

viscount younger of leckie: It is important that universities focus on ensuring that their graduates have the skills needed, including technical, vocational and transferable skills, to gain a positive outcome from their degree. The higher education regulator, the Office for Students’ (OfS), primary aim is to ensure that higher education delivers positive outcomes for students and it has a regulatory focus to ensure that students are able to progress into employment or further study.The government is supporting regional growth and retention of graduates in a number of ways. For example, on 16 May 2019, the OfS announced £5.6 million funding for 15 projects aiming to support the transition to highly skilled employment and improve outcomes for graduates who seek employment in their home region. Details of this can be found here, and are also attached:https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/news-blog-and-events/press-and-media/no-place-like-home/Similarly, the UK Research and Innovation “Strength in Places Fund” is a competitive fund for collaborative bids between research institutions and businesses to support significant regional growth through research and innovation. Details can be found here, and are also attached:https://www.ukri.org/funding/funding-opportunities/strength-in-places-fund/University Enterprise Zones are specific geographical areas where universities and business work together to increase local growth and innovation. As part of Budget 2018, £10 million was announced to fund up to 10 further zones. Details can be found here, and are also attached:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/university-enterprise-zones/university-enterprise-zonesFurthermore, the government part funds the National Centre for Universities and Business Collaboration, which helps universities and businesses across the UK work together. This is important to support the creation of a cycle of economic growth, providing jobs and quality of life for highly skilled graduates.



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Primary Education: Closures

lord hannay of chiswick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteriaare used when reaching a decision on the closure of a primary school; and what role is played by (1) the Department for Education, and (2) the Secretary of State for Education specifically, in making such a decision.

lord agnew of oulton: The decision to close a local authority maintained primary school is a local decision. Neither the Department for Education nor my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, play a role in the process or decision making. Where the school is an academy, the final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Education.When making a decision on a proposal to close a school, the decision maker (be it the local authority or the Secretary of State) will consider whether there is appropriate surplus capacity in the area to accommodate displaced pupils and any future projected increase in pupil numbers. They will also consider the impact of those likely to be affected by the closure, the balance of denominational provision, the impact on travel times for displaced pupils and any specialist provision (including sixth form provision or provision for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities).Where the school is an academy, the Secretary of State will also consider the viability of the school under the current academy trust, including the effectiveness of any attempts to raise education and financial performance. They will also consider the availability of other academy trusts to take on the school and their capacity to drive the required improvements and the cost effectiveness of closure.There is a presumption against the closure of rural primary schools. Where a school is designated as a rural school, the decision maker will also consider any alternatives to closure (e.g. amalgamation, federation, academy conversion or academy transfer). They will also consider the likely impact of the closure on the local community, the availability of, and likely cost of transport to alternative schools and any increase in the use of motor vehicles due to the closure and the likely impact of any increase.

Primary Education

baroness redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of primary schools are engaging with the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) programme.

lord agnew of oulton: The information requested is not held centrally. It is up to schools which teaching programmes they adopt.The department has recently made relationships education compulsory for all primary age pupils; relationships and sex education compulsory for all secondary age pupils; and health education universally compulsory from September 2020. We are aware that many schools already deliver much of this content, often as part of an existing personal, social, health and economic education programme. The focus of the subjects is on ensuring that all children receive teaching on important topics like mental wellbeing, respectful relationships, and being safe. The statutory guidance has now been published and this encourages schools to adopt an evidence based approach to developing these subjects. The guidance is attached and is also available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.



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Music: Education

baroness redfern: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of schools rated as good or outstanding which do not provide music education of this standard; and what steps they intend to take to improve the teaching of music in such schools.

lord agnew of oulton: The information requested regarding information on individual schools and whether they provide music education is not held centrally.The government is clear that music is an important subject and that all pupils should receive a high quality music education, at least up to the age of 14. That is why the subject is compulsory in the national curriculum and why this government is providing funding of over £300 million for music education hubs between 2016 and 2020.In order to ensure all pupils are able to enjoy a high quality music education, we are developing and publishing a non-statutory model music curriculum for key stages 1 to 3. This will expand on the statutory programmes of study and act as a benchmark for all schools.Ofsted’s new education inspection framework, which comes into effect in September, has a strong emphasis on ensuring schools provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all their pupils.

Department of Health and Social Care

Abortion

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there are any circumstances in which a pregnancy that does not (1) pose a risk to the physical health of a mother, and (2) involve a foetus that has been diagnosed with a disability, can be involuntarily terminated.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: A decision to terminate a pregnancy must comply with the legal requirements of the Abortion Act 1967. In circumstances where a person lacks capacity, the courts have the authority to make serious healthcare and treatment decisions, in the best interests of the person and pursuant to the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and this could include whether a pregnancy should be terminated.

Self-harm: Children

baroness d'souza: To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific measures they are taking to prevent self-harming in very young children.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: The Government is committed to preventing self-harm among children and young people of all ages. In 2017 Public Health England introduced the Rise Above programme that offers advice to young people on dealing with difficult emotions and situations that can lead to problems such as stress, bullying and self-harm.The current Healthy Child Programme (from 0-5 years old) aims to support early identification of problems with an emphasis on support for mothers and fathers or partners to provide sensitive and attuned parenting.On 17 June 2019, it was announced that tailored advice will be provided to parents on supporting their children’s mental health and well-being by 2020 through the ‘Every Mind Matters’ campaign. This will include information on subjects such as stress, screen time, online bullying, body image and self-harm.Ministers wrote to social media and internet providers on 26 January to express concern about suicide and self-harm content. The companies have committed to increasing their efforts by establishing and funding a strategic partnership with the Samaritans to tackle this content and support vulnerable users of their platforms.

Medical Equipment: Overseas Trade

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what practical steps they are taking to ensure the continued importand export of continence products and similar medical devices in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: As in preparation for 29 March and 12 April, our contingency plans for 31 October will cover the National Health Service, social care and the independent sector and covers all medicines, medical devices and clinical consumables, supplies for clinical trials, vaccines and countermeasures, and organs and tissues for transplants.The Department has continued to work closely with the devolved administrations, industry trade bodies and suppliers, the NHS and other key stakeholders. Prior to 29 March, the Department analysed the supply chains of 12,300 medicines, close to half a million product lines of medical devices and clinical consumables, vaccines used in national and local programmes, and essential non-clinical goods on which the health and care system relies. These analyses and assessments have been updated where necessary and will continue to be refined while a ‘no deal’ European Union exit remains a possibility. This work has informed our plans.We are asking suppliers to analyse their supply chains and to make alternative plans if they anticipate disruption, including rerouting to alternative ports or using airfreight where necessary. Our contingency measures aim to support industry-led measures and, where required, act as a ‘last resort’ to be used only when a supplier’s alternative arrangements encounter difficulties, to ensure uninterrupted supply.While we never give guarantees, we are confident that, if everyone – including suppliers, freight companies, international partners and the health and care system – does what they need to do, the supply of medicines and medical products should be uninterrupted in the event of a ‘no deal’ EU exit.

NHS: Procurement

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what role has recently been played by Deloitte, and at what cost, in the development by NHS Improvement of proposals to introduce a centralised NHS procurement system for products and services; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the introduction of such a system does not restrict medical practitioners from prescribing any continence product on the Medicines Tariff that they consider to be the most appropriate product for individual patients.

baroness masham of ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have consulted (1) the Health Care Supply Association, (2) the Urology Trade Association, and (3) organisations representing patients who use continence products, about the development by NHS Improvement of proposals to introduce a centralised NHS procurement system for products and services; and if not, why not.

baroness blackwood of north oxford: NHS Improvement, through an open and competitive procurement process, awarded Deloitte a contract to support NHS Improvement to develop a new NHS Procurement Target Operating Model. The contract for phase 1 of this work, which ended on 31 May 2019, cost £400,000.The new Procurement Target Operating Model will consider the processes, data and skills and capabilities to deliver a more efficient procurement service. The remit of the Procurement Target Operating Model programme does not cover clinical products and therefore were not considered as part of this review. NHS Improvement has collaborated with National Health Service providers’ chief executives, finance and procurement leads to develop the NHS’s procurement target operating model. Members of the Healthcare Supply Association have also been engaged with as part of the target operating model’s development.Clinical products, including continence products, which are procured by the NHS are the remit of Supply Chain Coordination Limited who work with NHS providers’ procurement teams across England. Clinical product suppliers have not been engaged with on the new procurement target operating model as they are outside its remit.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Xylella

baroness d'souza: To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific measures they are taking to prevent the introduction to the UK of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa via the import of infected host plants.

lord gardiner of kimble: Xylella fastidiosa is currently not present in the UK but we are taking a lead in the EU to tighten import and movement controls to protect the country against its introduction.We supplement EU measures with national legislation requiring notification of certain imports, allowing the Animal and Plant Health Agency to build intelligence about such trades and carry out targeted inspections. The notification requirements were strengthened in 2018 through the inclusion of olive trees, following an interception in Belgium of Xylella on olive trees imported from Spain.We have also successfully pressed the case for stronger requirements at an EU level against certain high risk hosts for this disease, with supplementary measures also now in place against Polygala myrtifolia. Under the leadership of Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Nicola Spence, we are continuously reviewing new developments to determine whether additional measures are required.We have a surveillance programme in place targeting imports and businesses trading in hosts from within the EU, as well as inspections in the wider environment.We are also taking action with UK industry to raise awareness, resulting in nurseries and garden centres committing not to bring Xylella host plants into the UK from EU regions where the disease is present, and employing careful sourcing, traceability and good hygiene measures.